At the recently concluded COP30, which took place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, the central role of tropical forests and the Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities that protect them was firmly in the spotlight. Despite ongoing challenges, the climate summit delivered tangible, measurable gains for communities and local forest stewards, ranging from landmark land recognitions to new funding initiatives and international collaborations.

Here, we showcase 10 of the most significant wins that could shape the protection of critical ecosystems and strengthen community-led stewardship in 2026 and beyond.

1. Landmark Progress in Indigenous Peoples’ Land Recognition in Brazil

On November 17, during Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30, the Brazilian government announced the demarcation of 10 new Indigenous lands. The new demarcations represent institutional recognition of Indigenous land rights and the formal definition of territorial boundaries. With this announcement, 21 Indigenous lands are now officially recognized in Brazil, each with clearly demarcated territories. 

Overall, Indigenous lands in Brazil now cover 117.4 million hectares, or approximately 13.8% of the country’s territory, which includes some of the largest continuous tracts of tropical forest on the planet. According to the 2022 demographic census, Brazil is home to 266 Indigenous groups, representing 1.7 million people out of a total population of 203 million. This recognition strengthens legal clarity, territorial security, and the ability to steward forest ecosystems long-term. 

2. Strengthening Land Rights and Forest Protection: The Renewed Tenure Pledge

The expanded Forest and Land Tenure Pledge is a new commitment of US$1.8 billion over five years to support Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities in securing tenure rights and protecting forests. Building on the COP26 commitment, the pledge provides direct, flexible funding for community-led conservation efforts, while also supporting governments in reforming policies to strengthen land tenure security. The updated pledge now covers all ecosystems, prioritizes women, youth, and Afro-descendant Peoples, and ensures that more resources reach local communities directly. 

Through initiatives such as Path to Scale, the Women in Global South Alliance (WiGSA), and CLARIFI, RRI’s coalition members helped embed community perspectives and equity considerations in the design of the pledge, ensuring that it reflects the priorities of the communities it is meant to support.

3. International Land Tenure Commitment: Advancing Rights for Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Local Communities

The International Land Tenure Commitment brings together 15 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a pledge to recognize and protect 160 million hectares of Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local community lands by 2030. Announced at the World Leaders Summit ahead of COP30, this commitment marks the first time countries have come together to set time-bound, quantitative goals for land rights recognition. Brazil, COP30’s host country, is expected to contribute at least 59 million hectares, more than one-third of the total pledge. 

Technical and analytical tools, including RRI’s Opportunity Framework, helped identify areas where recognition is both feasible and most urgent, providing governments with a clear roadmap to achieve measurable outcomes.

4. Tropical Forest Forever Facility: $7 Billion to Protect Forests with Indigenous Leadership

The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), designed to support the conservation of tropical forests, received nearly $7 billion in pledges, with 20% specifically designated for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Led by Brazil in collaboration with 11 other countries, the initiative aims to raise $25 billion in sponsor capital.

RRI’s Path to Scale facilitated negotiations with community leaders, including key discussions earlier this year at the Brazzaville Forest Basins Congress, ensuring that IndigenousPeoples’ and local communities’ perspectives were central to the TFFF’s design and priorities.

5. Belém Call for the Congo Basin: $2.5 Billion to Safeguard Critical Rainforests

The Congo Basin, home to some of the world’s largest and oldest tropical peatland complexes, plays a critical role in climate change mitigation. At COP30, a coalition of donors pledged $2.5 billion to protect this biodiverse ecosystem under the Belem Call for the Forests of the Congo Basin, led by France and Gabon, and supported by Germany, Norway, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the European Commission, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank.

Presented on November 18 during the COP30—also referred to as forests day—, the funding, combined with domestic contributions from Central African countries, aims to end deforestation in the Congo Basin by 2030, strengthen conservation through technology and training, and support local communities in managing and protecting their forests.

6. Historic Recognition of Afro-descendant Peoples in UNFCCC Negotiations

For the first time in over 30 years, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), together with Caribbean partners, referenced Afro-descendant Peoples in core negotiation documents, including texts on Just Transition, Gender Action, and the Global Goal on Adaptation. While Afro-descendant Peoples are not yet recognized as a standalone constituency within the UNFCCC framework, this mention places them alongside other groups disproportionately affected by climate change and central to its mitigation, providing a new platform to advocate for their rights.

The recognition follows sustained advocacy by Afro-descendant organizations and allies, including the Coalition of Afro-descendant Peoples and Territories (CITAFRO)—representing 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean—and members of the RRI coalition.

7. Acceleration Plan for Afro-descendant Peoples: Strengthening Land and Community Rights

At COP30, the governments of Brazil and Colombia, together with RRI, launched the Acceleration Plan for Solutions for Afro-descendant Peoples (PAS Afrodescendiente) 2026–2030, the first regional initiative dedicated to addressing historical gaps in territorial recognition, environmental governance, and financing for Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The plan aims to strengthen tenure security, community management, and sustainable development for over 25 million people.

At the launch, Brazil, Colombia, and RRI confirmed initial contributions totaling USD $9.5 million toward a USD $35 million target, with Brazil providing $5 million, Colombia $3 million, and RRI $1.5 million, demonstrating strong collective political will to advance this regional priority.

8. Global Youth Network Launch: Connecting Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Local Community Youth Worldwide

RRI, together with youth representatives from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, launched the Global Youth Network. This historic alliance brings together Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local community youth, along with allied youth groups, into a single platform for solidarity, shared learning, and collective action.

The Network creates opportunities for young leaders to influence decisions on land, climate, and human rights, ensuring local perspectives inform global action. It builds on the outcomes of the Global Youth Forum held in Bali, Indonesia, in July 2025, where 52 young leaders from 22 countries co-created the Global Youth Roadmap and the Youth Climate Justice Statement, articulating a shared vision for intergenerational justice, equity, and community-driven solutions to the climate crisis.

9. From Rights to Livelihoods: Launching the Collective Livelihoods and Enterprise Network

During COP30, RRI announced the next phase of its global coalition strategy, From Rights to Livelihoods: Advancing Collective Economies for People and Planet, with the launch of a new Collective Livelihoods and Enterprise Network.

The initiative links tenure rights, sustainable livelihoods, and conservation through community-led economies. Building on decades of work that contributed to the recognition of at least 140 million hectares of forests for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, this new network focuses on ensuring these lands also support thriving, self-determined local economies that reinforce both rights and conservation.

10. Record Indigenous Presence at COP30: Voices Heard Across Negotiations and Events

COP30 saw the largest number of Indigenous delegates ever at a UN climate summit, with over 3,000 representatives, primarily from the Amazon region. While only a fraction had credentials to enter the COP30 “Blue Zone” where UN negotiations took place, their presence was visible across multiple spaces and events in Belém. The summit highlighted both the progress achieved and the urgent need to ensure Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local community voices have access to the negotiations that shape climate and land decisions.

The initiatives, pledges, and networks launched at COP30 offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen tenure rights, safeguard critical ecosystems, and keep forests standing. Success will depend on continued collaboration, inclusive decision-making, and sustained political and financial support to ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities are fully realized for generations to come.

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